www.usatoday.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.66.62  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

The Last Ride 🎙️ History and highlights Should you buy now? Take our news quiz
📝

U.S. Sports Entertainment Life Money Tech Travel Opinion For You
ONLY AT USA TODAY:
Newsletters For Subscribers From the Archives Crossword eNewspaper
Magazines      Investigations Weather Forecast Podcasts Video Humankind Just
Curious
Pets Food Reviewed Coupons Blueprint Best Auto Insurance Best Pet Insurance Best
Travel Insurance Best Credit Cards Best CD Rates Best Personal Loans




POLITICS
Debt ceiling
Add Topic


'PEOPLE ARE REALLY STRESSED OUT': SNAP RECIPIENTS TO BE AFFECTED BY DEBT CEILING
DEAL

Sarah Elbeshbishi
USA TODAY


PlayPause
Sound OnSound Off

0:00
2:20
AD
1:00
SKIP
ClosedCaptionOpen ShareEnter Full ScreenExit Full Screen





Inhumane.

It’s what Rodney Dawkins thinks of the cuts to federal safety net programs
included in the debt-ceiling bill, which is on its way to President Joe Biden’s
desk.

The deal, negotiated between Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, will expand
work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by
increasing the age limit on able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 54.

“I feel this is really a big blow to the American people, especially if they
have families,” said Dawkins, a SNAP recipient from Skokie, Illinois.

More:Food stamp spending would grow under McCarthy-Biden debt limit deal, CBO
predicts



Because of SNAP, Dawkins can afford more nutritious foods, including fresh
produce, eggs and other forms of protein – all items he otherwise might not have
access to without the federal assistance, a safety net some are at risk of
losing. 

The changes to the program could potentially affect 275,000 low-income
Americans, according to Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, an audit, tax,
and consulting firm focused on the middle market in the United States and
Canada.



While Dawkins, 57, wouldn’t personally be at risk, he’s concerned for those who
are.

“Food is really, really, really expensive,” Dawkins added. “People are really
stressed out and they’re trying to feed their families by any means necessary.
People shouldn’t have to do that. We are the richest country in the world. This
is inhumane.”




GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE ON FOOD STAMPS DESPITE CUTS TO WELFARE

House Republicans have been pushing for expanded work requirements for SNAP and
other federal assistance programs. However, some hardline conservatives have
argued that requirements that made it into the final agreement didn’t go far
enough.

McCarthy’s original plan would have raised the age limit from 49 to 56, which
could have affected nearly 1 million Americans ages 50 to 55, the Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities estimated at the time.



Instead, Biden and McCarthy settled on 54 years-old and in exchange for
increased age limit for work requirements, the deal also included new program
exemptions. People experiencing homelessness, veterans and people ages 18 to 24
who were in foster care when they turned 18 would not be subject to work rules
for food assistance.

Related:'I don't have anything in my refrigerator': GOP debt ceiling plan would
cut SNAP benefits

With the added exemptions, the White House estimates the number of people newly
protected would be about the same as those newly subjected to work requirements.

And despite Republicans intention to cut government spending on food stamps by
expanding work requirements, the government will actually spend more, not less,
on the program, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget
Office.

The CBO said the changes to SNAP would increase federal spending by about $2.1
billion and estimated approximately 78,000 more people would receive food
assistance in an average month than currently projected.



However, the CBO also said that changes to Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families, the cash assistance program, under the deal would save the government
$5 million.


‘A GOOD DEAL’ FOR VETERANS DEPENDENT ON SNAP

While the changes to welfare programs under the Fiscal Responsibility Act are
projected to cause some Americans to lose their benefits, it will also expand
access to include some of the country’s most vulnerable populations.

“Exempting (veterans) from these (work) requirements will make it easier for
them. It will allow for them to not go hungry,” said Naveed Shah, the political
director for Common Defense, a grassroots organization of progressive veterans.

“I think that’s a great thing,” added Shah, an Army veteran. “And it doesn’t
mean that they’re not working. It just means that if their boss cuts their hours
… they aren’t going to be out of food.”

Crisis averted:Senate passes bill to stop debt default and sends to Biden's desk



Shah also noted that the veteran families who qualify or depend on SNAP are
among the most vulnerable within the group and are the most susceptible to any
changes to their situation.  

In 2019, 1.1 million veterans and 22,000 active-duty service members received
SNAP benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Although he’s not thrilled the debt-ceiling deal includes expanded work
requirements, “compromises have to be made,” Shah said. “And I think it's
overall a good deal.”

Contributing: Medora Lee, Joey Garrison and Maureen Groppe







SmartAsset

Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal?SmartAsset|
AdAd


Undo
Health Insight Journal

Relieve Your Fооt Neurоpathy: This Small Device Amazes Mеdical
ProfessionalsHealth Insight Journal|
AdAd
Learn More


Undo
Healthy Guru

Simple Japanese Trick for Nail InfectionHealthy Guru|
AdAd
Read More


Undo
ED

Is ED Becoming Obsolete for Senior Men? Learn More!ED|
AdAd


Undo
Tactical X

New Military Invention Melts Fat Like ButterTactical X|
AdAd


Undo
Electric Car Deals

Completely New Electric Cars for Seniors - The Prices Might Surprise YouElectric
Car Deals|
AdAd


Undo

Online Shopping Tools

Amazon Hates When Prime Members Do This, But They Can’t Stop YouOnline Shopping
Tools|
AdAd


Undo
National Penny Saver

People Born 1942-1971 Are Due a Large SurpriseThere's no reason why every senior
doesn't take advantage of these incredible discounts & offers available to
them.National Penny Saver|
AdAd
Learn More


Undo

Dr. Kellyann

Top Nutritionist: 1 Protein You Need For Dark SpotsFrequent guest on GMA, Dr.
Kellyann, explains the connection between this one protein and your battle
against stubborn aging skinDr. Kellyann|
AdAd


Undo
Libiyi

The best walking shoes suitable for elderly people to wear all day.Libiyi|
AdAd
Shop Now


Undo


Deal of the Day
Reviewed Deal of the Day

Get 50% Off The Paramount+ and Showtime Bundle—But Not For Much LongerREVIEWED
View Deal
Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make
through our links may earn us a commission.


Undo


Recommended

Unlimited Tomorrow is pioneering the future of prostheticsStory from Siemens


Undo



Featured Weekly Ad

More Stories


Here are the 36 senators who voted against the debt ceiling dealnews


Undo

'Unhinged'? Now Donald Trump is attacking loyalist Kayleigh McEnanynews


Undo
SmartAsset

Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal?SmartAsset|
AdAd


Undo








About Us Newsroom Staff Ethical Principles Request a Correction Press Releases
Accessibility Sitemap Subscription Terms & Conditions Terms of Service Your
California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell / Share /
Target My InfoCookie Settings
Contact Us Help Center My Account Give Feedback Get Home Delivery eNewspaper USA
TODAY Shop USA TODAY Print Editions Licensing & Reprints Advertise With Us
Careers Internships Support Local Business
News Tips Submitting letters to the editor Podcasts Newsletters Mobile Apps
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest YouTube Reddit Flipboard RSS
10Best Reviewed Jobs Sports Betting Sports Weekly Studio Gannett Classifieds
Coupons Blueprint Auto Insurance Pet Insurance Travel Insurance Credit Cards
Banking Personal Loans
© 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC.


The Last Ride 🎙️ History and highlights Should you buy now? Take our news quiz
📝

U.S. Sports Entertainment Life Money Tech Travel Opinion For You
ONLY AT USA TODAY:
Newsletters For Subscribers From the Archives Crossword eNewspaper
Magazines      Investigations Weather Forecast Podcasts Video Humankind Just
Curious
Pets Food Reviewed Coupons Blueprint Best Auto Insurance Best Pet Insurance Best
Travel Insurance Best Credit Cards Best CD Rates Best Personal Loans

More stories to check out before you go


Keep on reading


Alabama basketball manager says he was at deadly shooting, not playerAn Alabama
basketball manager says he, not a player identified by The New York Times, was
at a shooting that left a 23-year-old woman dead.USA TODAY
Group 3


Undo

President Biden falls handing out diplomas at Air Force AcademyPresident Joe
Biden took a dramatic fall while passing out diplomas after giving the
commencement address at the Air Force Academy.USA TODAY
Group 3


Undo

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' ending explained (spoilers!)Teen superhero
Miles Morales winds up on the wrong Earth and in a bad way in the cliffhanger of
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." (Spoilers!)USA TODAY
Group 3


Undo

Here are the 36 senators who voted against the debt ceiling dealDespite 63
senators backing the bill, four Democrats and 31 Republican senators opposed it,
as well as independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.USA TODAY
Group 3


Undo

' ' '
' ' '


'Are you blind?' Ron DeSantis snaps at reporter over taking questionsFrom
Richard Nixon to Donald Trump, Republican candidates have a storied history of
arguing with reporters. Ron DeSantis joins the list.USA TODAY


Undo

SmartAsset

Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal?SmartAsset|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo
Health Insight Journal

Relieve Your Fооt Neurоpathy: This Small Device Amazes Mеdical
ProfessionalsHealth Insight Journal|
SponsoredSponsored
Learn More


Undo


Biden falls on stage at graduation ceremonyUSA TODAY


Undo

'Unhinged'? Now Donald Trump is attacking loyalist Kayleigh McEnanyTrump's
attack on his former press secretary draws criticism from conservatives who have
normally been sympathetic to the 2024 candidate.USA TODAY


Undo

New details of Jeffrey Epstein's death revealedUSA TODAY


Undo


Donald Trump's attack on Kayleigh McEnany costs him in New HampshireState Rep.
James Spillane of New Hampshire said he has switched from Trump to Ron
DeSantis.USA TODAY


Undo

Brothers killed while playing with kittens; DA to seek death penaltyA
Pennsylvania district attorney announced she will seek the death penalty against
one suspect in the fatal shooting of young brothers this week.USA TODAY


Undo

Healthy Guru


Simple Japanese Trick for Nail InfectionHealthy Guru|
SponsoredSponsored
Read More


Undo
ED

Is ED Becoming Obsolete for Senior Men? Learn More!ED|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo


Rafael Nadal is expected to miss 5 more months after having hip surgeryRafael
Nadal is expected to need about five months to recover from arthroscopic surgery
on his left hip, a timeline that likely would keep him out for the rest of this
seasonUSA TODAY


Undo

See who voted against the House bill to raise the debt ceilingThe debt limit
deal passed in the House with support from lawmakers in both parties. But the
bill did not come without pushback.USA TODAY


Undo